A Utah woman was found dead in her home last Sunday with only one other person there besides her husband, who was on conditional release following a domestic violence incident in July.
St. George police have charged Eric Larson Sampson, 50, with first-degree murder, second-degree aggravated assault and domestic violence in the death of Niki Sampson, 47, according to a police arrest report.
Officers were called to the woman's home in the 2800 block of 2300 East in the Little Valley section of St. George around 8:35 p.m. Sunday, where they found the woman deceased.
In their report, police said the woman had “suspicious bruising” on her arms and face, particularly near her mouth, and that “the bruising was in varying stages of healing,” but that “many of the bruises appeared to still be new.”
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Niki Sampson, 47, was found dead in her St. George home on September 1. Her husband, Eric Larson Sampson, 50, has been charged with first-degree murder. (Niki Sampson/Facebook)
neighbor He told Fox 13 Police had visited the home earlier that morning to do a well-being check and Niki Sampson was still alive at the time.
Police said a diary believed to have been written by Niki Sampson was found in the seven-bedroom, four-bathroom home, detailing how Eric Sampson would become aggressive when he drank alcohol. [Niki Sampson] She feared for her life.”
Police said that after being read his Miranda rights, Eric Sampson gave false and inconsistent statements about what happened. He admitted to having several alcoholic drinks throughout the day Sunday and that he had discussed a “previous physical confrontation” with his wife.
He says he was alone with his wife that day but denies he was responsible for the injuries found on her body, and he also admits he did not call 911 for 10 to 20 minutes after trying to wake her up.
Police said a third party, whose identity has not been released, went to Niki Sampson's home out of concern for her and found her unresponsive, then called her.
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Niki and Eric Sampson's Utah home. (Google Maps)
According to police records from Eric Sampson's previous domestic violence arrest obtained by Fox 13, Niki Sampson told police that on July 25, her husband threw her on the bed, pinned her arms with his knee and pulled her hair.
He was released the same day on the condition he not reoffend, but the city said during his arraignment that no order of protection would be issued against Niki Sampson, the outlet reported.
Starting last July, all law enforcement agencies in Utah began conducting mandatory lethality assessments when responding to domestic violence between intimate partners. The assessments consist of 10 questions. If a victim claims that their partner has used a weapon against them, threatened to kill them or their children, or believes their partner “might try to kill them,” the assessments begin with a question. [them]” Those who respond will be referred to their local domestic violence center.
You will also be immediately referred if you answer affirmatively to four of the remaining ten questions, which include “Does he/she own a gun?”, “Has he/she ever tried to strangle you?”, “Does he/she follow you, spy on you or leave threatening messages?”, and “Is he/she intensely or constantly jealous or controls most of your daily activities?”.
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In the police report, police said Niki Sampson had “suspicious bruising” on her arms and face, particularly near her mouth, and that “while they are in various stages of healing, many of the bruises appear to still be fresh.” (Niki Sampson/Facebook)
Susan Oertel, executive director of the Dove Center, where victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in the area are often referred in these cases, told Fox 13 that victims often don't know where to run in these cases. She said people who believe a friend, relative or neighbor is a victim of domestic violence should contact police.
“They can say, 'I think something's going on. Can you come and check it out?'” Oertel said. “If you're wrong, that's OK. If you're right, you might have saved someone's life.”
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Diaries believed to have been written by Niki Sampson were found in her home after her death, and police reports state that in at least one of her diary entries she wrote that she “feared for her life.” (Niki Sampson/Facebook)
It was not immediately clear whether Sampson had hired an attorney.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, of the 4,970 women murdered in the United States in 2021, 34% were killed by an intimate partner. By comparison, of the 17,970 men murdered, 6% were killed by an intimate partner. Only 12% of women murdered that year were killed by strangers, compared with 21% of men.
Sampson is being held at Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane as St. George police continue to work to learn more about the incident.
